Well Casing Assemblies, Systems, and Methods for Setting Casing in Underground Platforms

ABSTRACT

Well casing assemblies are provided that can include at least one casing extending between two ends; another casing surrounding the one casing and extending between the two ends, the one and the other casing defining a void there between. Well casing systems within a wall of an underground platform are also provided. The system can include a pair of tubular members about each other extending upwardly from within the platform into a wall of the platform. Methods for setting casing in an underground platform are also provided. The methods can include extending a well upwardly to within a wall of the underground platform and providing fluid cement to within the well. The method can further include curing the cement to form a casing within the well.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to fluid acquisition operations in an underground setting. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to well casing assemblies and systems as well as methods for setting casing in underground platforms.

BACKGROUND

Precious fluid acquisition has been attempted from underground platforms. These platforms exist within the earth and may be related to an underground reservoir, with the underground reservoir being lateral to or even above the platform, sometimes even below the platform. In these underground settings, it can be difficult to perform traditional well operations in the acquisition of valuable fluids, such as hydrocarbon fluids, including but not limited to petroleum fluids. The present disclosure provides well casing assemblies and well casing systems as well as methods for setting casing in an underground platform.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Well casing assemblies are provided that can include at least one casing extending between two ends; another casing surrounding the one casing and extending between the two ends, the one and the other casing defining a void there between. The well casing can further include a flange extending from the other casing, with the flange defining a space therein, and the space of the flange being in fluid communication with the void defined between the casings.

Well casing systems within a wall of an underground platform are also provided. The system can include a pair of tubular members about each other extending upwardly from within the platform into a wall of the platform. The system can further include a void between the two members, with the void extending from within the underground platform to within the wall of the platform. The system can also include an opening within one of the pair of tubular members, the opening in fluid communication with the void.

Methods for setting casing in an underground platform are also provided. The methods can include extending a well upwardly to within a wall of the underground platform and providing fluid cement to within the well. The method can further include curing the cement to form a casing within the well.

DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a depiction of an operator within an underground platform.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of an assembly and/or system of the present disclosure according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of an assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of an assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is another view of the assembly of FIG. 4 in another configuration according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is another view of the configuration of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a depiction of an assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an example cross sectional view of the assembly according to FIGS. 4-6.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

The present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-8. Referring first to FIG. 1, a subterranean underground platform 10 is depicted. Platform 10 may include a well 12 and an operator 14. Well 12 can be considered a bore hole extending outwardly from within the platform to the earthen material surrounding the platform. This is but one example of a mine system that may utilize embodiments of the present disclosure. This mine system can be utilized to acquire deposits that include earthen material or material bearing hydrocarbon containing fluid, such as crude oil and or/natural gas.

Well 12 may be provided at an angle extending from within the platform to within the earthen material. This angle can be at a substantially upward angle from within the platform. For example, the angle can extend from greater than zero to less than 90 degrees, particularly when extending from a wall of the platform.

Referring next to FIG. 2, a well casing system 20 is disclosed within a wall 22 of an underground platform such as underground platform 10. The system can include a pair of tubular members 24 and 26, for example, about each other extending upwardly from within the platform into wall 22 of the platform. In accordance with example implementations, the tubular members can be pipes of different sizes. The pipes can be defined to where when engaged with one another, a void 28 exists there between. Void 28 can extend from within the platform to within wall 22 of the platform. There can be an opening 30 that is in fluid communication with the void.

The void and/or the tubular members can extend from within the platform to within the wall of the platform at a substantially upward angle. This angle can be greater than zero and/or less than 90 degrees. In accordance with example implementations, the members can define openings associated with an interior portion of the platform and/or exits associated within wall 22 of the platform. In accordance with example implementations, the openings can be at a lower elevation in relation to the exits defined by the members and/or void.

In accordance with an example implementation, one of the members, such as member 26, can engage wall 22 of the platform. Member 26 may also engage a flange 32. Accordingly, flange 32 can engage at least one of the pair of members.

Flange 32 can define a space 34 therein, and space 34 can be in fluid communication with void 28 between members 26 and 24. The flange and the members can be constructed of metallic materials such as, but not limited to, cast iron materials. The members may be also constructed of polymeric materials of sufficiently predefined strength. In accordance with example implementations, tubular member 26 can have an inner diameter of about 5″ and tubular member 24 can have an outside diameter of about 4½″, establishing a void 28 of approximately ½″. In accordance with example implementations, void 28 can also have a thickness of about ¾″ to about 1″.

Flange 32 can include a surface 36 having opposing walls 40 and 38 extending therefrom. The surface 36 and walls 40 and 38 can establish space 34 within flange 32. With reference to FIG. 2, flange 32 can be coupled to a fixture 42. This fixture can be a valve assembly and/or pressure measurement device, for example. The fixture can be associated with an opening extending to within flange 32. That opening can be in fluid communication with void 28 and space 34. In accordance with example implementations, the valve fixture can be configured to be open and/or closed or releasably open and/or close. The valve assembly can be configured to receive a fluid cement, such as Type G oil field cement.

Referring to FIG. 3, according to another embodiment, well casing assembly 50 is shown. Well casing assembly 50 includes one casing 54 extending between two ends. Another casing 56 can extend about the one casing 54 between the two ends and define a void therebetween, not shown. FIG. 3 is shown in an exploded view indicating the arrangement of the assembly prior to construction or assembly. In this embodiment, the other casing is coupled to flange 62 and while not shown, flange 62 defines a space therein with the space of the flange being in fluid communication with the void established between casing 54 and casing 56.

In assembly 50, flange 62 engages the other casing 56 and can engage the one casing 54 via coupling assemblies 74 and 76. Coupling assemblies 74 and 76 can include a pressure fit seal threadably engageable to flange 62 with packing materials 76 in between the pressure fit seal 74. These packing materials can engage an outer portion as shown in FIG. 2 or an inner portion of the flange as shown in FIG. 3.

Flange 62 can define an opening extending to within the space not shown. This opening in FIG. 3 is coupled to a fixture 72. According to this embodiment, fixture 72 is a valve configured to allow for the opening or closing of fluid communication between the exterior flange 62 and the space within flange 62 and the void between members 54 and 56. This fitting can be a valve configured to receive liquid cement and/or it may also include a pressure gauge to determine the pressure within the space and void established within the assembly.

Referring next to FIG. 4, assembly 100 is shown with assembly 100 including at least two subcomponents, subcomponent assembly 102 that is configured to couple with subcomponent assembly 104. Referring first to subcomponent assembly 102, subcomponent assembly 102 can include a flange 106 that includes openings configured to be coupled to a complimentary flange of a conduit, for example. Flange 106 can have a member or wall 108 extending therefrom to another flange 110. In accordance with example implementations, member or wall 108 can extend to another wall or member 112. The alignment of walls 108 and 112 can be juxtaposed or nonlinear, for example. In accordance with another example implementation, the angle of the wall 108 in relation to flange 106 can be other than normal, for example.

In accordance with example implementations as described herein, wall 108 and/or 112, for example, can include an opening configured to receive a conduit 114 extending therethrough. Conduit 114 can have a valve attached thereto to control the flow of a substance therebetween.

Subcomponent assembly 104 can include at least two components, for example, but may be configured as a single component. In accordance with example implementations, each of the two components 120 can include a sidewall 122 extending to a flange 124. The flange of 124 can be configured to couple to the flange of 110, and the sidewalls 122 can be configured to be received within subcomponent assembly 102, for example.

Referring next to FIG. 5, in accordance with another configuration of assembly 100, subcomponent assembly 104 is shown engaged within subcomponent assembly 102. As shown, subcomponent assembly 104 defines a recess or opening 130. This opening or recess can be configured to receive conduit therein.

Referring next to FIG. 6, an alternative view of assembly 100 is shown. In accordance with this view, subcomponent assembly 104 is shown disengaged from subcomponent assembly 102. As shown through the opening of subcomponent assembly 102, a secondary flange 140 is shown within the subcomponent assembly 102. This secondary flange may be consistent with the perimeter of the recess 130 defined by subcomponent assembly 104 when engaged.

Referring to FIG. 7, another embodiment of assembly 100 is shown that includes a second valve assembly 214. This valve assembly may be placed opposing the first valve assembly 114. Valve assemblies 114 and 214 may be the same or different configurations. For example, one of the assemblies may be configured to accept fluid while the other may be configured to release fluid.

Referring next to FIG. 8, a cross sectional view of assembly 100 is shown with subcomponent assembly 104 disengaged from subcomponent assembly 102. In accordance with example implementations, flange 140 is shown in this cross section, as is opening 114 within wall 108. As can be seen from this view, subcomponent assembly 104 can engage subcomponent assembly 102 to define an opening 130 therein. This opening can be configured to receive conduit. In accordance with an example implementation, as the conduit extends through assembly 100, and opening or a space between the conduit and walls 108 is defined that can convey a fluid through opening 114.

In accordance with example implementations, casing can be set into an underground platform by extending a well upwardly to within the wall of the underground platform via bore hole for example. This bore hole is shown in FIG. 1, and the upward angle is shown in FIG. 2, for example. Fluid cement can be provided to within the well. In accordance with example implementations, this fluid cement can be passed through a flange defining a space therein, and the space can be in fluid communication with a void established between two members. This fluid cement can be Type G oil field cement, and the pressure can be monitored while providing this fluid cement upwardly to within the well. In accordance with example implementations, the fluid cement can be provided from a downward most portion of the flange, and a pressure gauge on the uppermost portion of the flange can be provided. Upon reaching a desired pressure, somewhere between 100 psi and 500 psi, for example, the introduction of fluid cement can be halted, and then the cement can be cured.

In accordance with example implementations, the curing of the cement to form the casing in the wall can be established. In accordance with example implementations, setting casing in the underground platform can include providing a pair of tubular members to within the well, including providing the fluid cement to within a void defined between the pair of tubular members. The method can also include providing fluid cement to within a flange that has a space in fluid communication with the void established between the two members, the fluid cement substantially filling the space and a majority of the void extending to within the wall. The method can finally include removing one of the members from within the assembly within the wall. The member can be the interior member, thereby providing a cement casing configured to receive well drilling equipment such as hoses, additional pipes, and across the cement casing that has been established between the wall and the platform.

In compliance with the statute, embodiments of the invention have been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the entire invention is not limited to the specific features and/or embodiments shown and/or described, since the disclosed embodiments comprise forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. A well casing assembly comprising: one casing extending between two ends; another casing surrounding the one casing and extending between the two ends, the one and the other casing defining a void there between; and a flange extending from the other casing, the flange defining a space therein, the space of the flange being in fluid communication with the void defined between the casings.
 2. The well casing assembly of claim 1 wherein the flange comprises at least two portions, one portion engaging the one casing and another portion engaging the other casing.
 3. The well casing assembly of claim 1 further comprising packing members extending between the one casing and the flange.
 4. The well casing assembly of claim 3 wherein the packing members engage an outer portion of the flange.
 5. The well casing assembly of claim 1 wherein the flange defines an opening extending to the space.
 6. The well casing assembly of claim 5 further comprising a fitting coupled to the opening, the fitting being configured to receive liquid cement.
 7. The well casing assembly of claim 1 further comprising a pressure gauge operably coupled to the flange.
 8. A well casing system within a wall of an underground platform, the system comprising: a pair of tubular members about each other extending upwardly from within the platform into a wall of the platform; a void between the two members, the void extending from within the underground platform to within the wall of the platform; and an opening within one of the pair of tubular members, the opening in fluid communication with the void.
 9. The well casing system of claim 8 wherein the members extend from within the platform to within the wall of the platform at an angle greater than zero and less than 90 degrees.
 10. The well casing system of claim 9 wherein at least one of the members has an entrance within the platform and an exit beyond the wall of the platform, the entrance being at a lower elevation in relation to the exit.
 11. The well casing system of claim 9 wherein at least one of the pair of tubular members engages the wall of the platform
 12. The well casing system of claim 9 further comprising a flange within the platform, the flange engaging at least one of the pair of members.
 13. The well casing system of claim 12 wherein the flange defines a space therein, the space being in fluid communication with the void between the members.
 14. The well casing system of claim 13 wherein the flange comprises a surface having opposing walls extending therefrom, the surface and walls defining the space therein.
 15. The well casing system of claim 14 further comprising a fixture extending from the surface and in fluid communication with the space.
 16. A method for setting casing in an underground platform, the method comprising: extending a well upwardly to within a wall of the underground platform; and providing fluid cement to the well; and curing the cement to form a casing within the well.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing a pair of tubular members to within the well, the providing the fluid cement comprising providing the fluid cement to within a void defined between the pair of tubular members.
 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising providing a flange operatively engaged with at least one of the tubular members and providing the fluid cement to within the flange.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising measuring the pressure within the void while providing the fluid cement.
 20. The method of claim 16 further comprising extending a tubular member to within the casing within the well. 